With 40 Seconds Left in OT, the Bucks Took a 118-111 Lead. The Pacers Then Ended the Game on an 8-0 Run to Win by 1 Point 😮

In one of the wildest finishes of the NBA season, the Indiana Pacers pulled off a jaw-dropping comeback against the Milwaukee Bucks, turning what seemed like a sure loss into a stunning one-point victory. With just 40 seconds left in overtime, the Bucks were firmly in control, leading 118-111. What followed was an improbable 8-0 run by the Pacers that left fans—and the Bucks—absolutely stunned.

The game had already been intense throughout regulation, with both teams trading big buckets and momentum swings. Giannis Antetokounmpo dominated most of the night, pouring in points in the paint and helping the Bucks build what felt like a comfortable cushion as the clock ticked under a minute in OT. After a clutch layup by Khris Middleton, the Bucks held a 7-point lead with just 40 seconds to go.

Then, the meltdown began.

The Pacers, who had fought tooth and nail to even force overtime, refused to quit. Tyrese Haliburton ignited the rally with a deep three-pointer from the top of the key, cutting the deficit to four. The Bucks inbounded the ball, but full-court pressure by the Pacers led to a critical turnover near half-court. Indiana quickly capitalized with a fast-break dunk by Aaron Nesmith, making it 118-117.

Suddenly, the Bucks looked rattled. On the following possession, Milwaukee’s attempt to slow the game down backfired when Giannis was trapped in the corner and forced into a contested pass that sailed out of bounds. The Pacers had the ball with just under 10 seconds remaining—plenty of time for one last push.

Out of a timeout, Haliburton drove into the lane, drawing two defenders, and kicked it out to Buddy Hield in the corner. With ice in his veins, Hield drilled the go-ahead three with 1.8 seconds left on the clock, putting Indiana ahead 119-118. Fiserv Forum fell silent, while the Pacers bench erupted in celebration.

The Bucks had one final chance. Coach Doc Rivers drew up a play to get Giannis the ball near the rim, but the lob pass was tipped away by Myles Turner, and time expired before Milwaukee could get a clean look. Just like that, a 7-point lead with 40 seconds left vanished—and so did the Bucks’ hopes for a statement win.

After the game, Haliburton summed it up simply: “We just believed. Even when it looked over, we kept fighting. That’s who we are.”

For the Bucks, the loss is sure to sting—not just because of what it means in the standings, but because of how avoidable it was. Sloppy execution, poor clock management, and costly turnovers proved fatal in the final seconds.

This game will likely be remembered as one of the season’s most thrilling collapses and comebacks. For Indiana, it’s a momentum-building victory. For Milwaukee, it’s a painful lesson that no lead is safe until the final buzzer sounds.